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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Text telling me about a hospital appointment

210 replies

TiesThatBindMe · 16/09/2017 01:13

Received a text yesterday along the lines of "We are expecting you for your appointment at XX hospital at 3pm on the 20th. If you do not attend it will cost the NHS £160. To cancel ring xxxxxxx number'.

The hospital mentioned is one I've been a patient at, but I am not aware of, nor have I received any letter regarding any outpatient appointment.

Even if it is legitimate, I don't know what department it's for! Do I just show up with some spurious text?

Does this sound dodgy to anyone bar myself?

OP posts:
Original poster
TiesThatBindMe · 16/09/2017 19:21

I suppose I could do it under anesthetic I've had Cin2 cells before and clear smears since but I haven't had a smear in about 2 years.. I know I would end up kicking someone going near me there though. I suppose it's worth mentioning whenever they plague me again to go. I'd prefer to have that discussion with a doctor or nurse though, not a blooming receptionist.

OP posts:
13bastards · 16/09/2017 19:31

I'm sure the nurses wiill have had experience in that area.

I'm far from an score but don't sexual health clinics have staff who can deal with these types of things.

Amanduh · 16/09/2017 19:46

Sounds like a mobile number had been given by a patient or typed in wrongly somewhere. Happened to me last year, just give them a ring monday x

LittleMissCantbebothered · 16/09/2017 19:48

Not a scam. I've had texts like this ahead of gynaecological appointments with a consultant.

gamerwidow · 16/09/2017 19:55

Not a scam missed appointments do cost the NHS £160 and my Trust sends similar text reminders.
It looks like they've entered the phone number on the patients record incorrectly, it's easy to do. I accidentally transposed two numbers when sending a text yesterday and got a completely different person.

If it's was a scam it would say missing this appointment will cost YOU £160 unless you phone this number etc.

gamerwidow · 16/09/2017 19:58

Also it's deliberately vague in case they do send it to the wrong person or someone reads it who shouldn't.
That's why you'll get no name or indication about what the appointment is about.

MmmmmmmChips · 16/09/2017 20:02

Def scam.

Hospitals do not send out texts like this only to remind you of your appointment.
If you want to check call the hospital general number and ask for appointments.

existentialmoment · 16/09/2017 20:03

They do though. There are evne examples shown if you had only RTFT.

Wouldn't be much of a scam, would it?

Oldraver · 16/09/2017 20:11

@Chips Have you read the thread ? at least half a dozen people have said they have had text reminders from hospitals...as have I...

cestlavielife · 16/09/2017 20:16

Yes get reminders from hospital and nhs dentist

ToadsforJustice · 16/09/2017 20:32

The appointment won't be for a smear test. They are optional and you cannot be forced into having one. The new cervical screening leaflets make it very clear that having a smear is a choice.

unfortunateevents · 16/09/2017 20:47

Hospitals do not send out texts like this only to remind you of your appointment

Yes, they do.

Emlou07 · 16/09/2017 20:54

Not a scam. I get this exact message before each appointment for myself and the children. From more than one local hospital. I also get them from the dentist

WellThisIsShit · 16/09/2017 20:55

I wish they had a actual procedure that would kick in for women who can't have smear tests easily.

I was wincing when posters were saying 'oh just go nothing to be worried about' up thread, as it was clear from the way you jumped straight to that idea as your worst fear that it's not you being silly or making a mountain out of a molehill! Then I got to your post explaining why op, I'm so sorry (can we kill the fucker?). It's not easy to do anything like smears or personal exams in this situation, and I totally understand why you'd choose not to under the circs.

I wish they'd do a 'no commitment internal test' type of scheme. Where you could go and talk it through with no pressure, with experts, and see what they can do to make it less awful, and they'd have loads of experience of this stuff so would have clever ideas... including sedation. And then you could maybe try to go one step at a time with all the help and see if maybe you could do it... because it's needed!

I too haven't had a smear for 6 yrs and I worry about it but also know I can't go though the usual process, so am at an impasse.

My heart goes out to you for having such an awful experience Flowers

Ps yes get texts from my hosp and rely on them as post is annoying as the trust keeps reverting to an old address and I can't seem to fix it! However wise to call the hospital on the number on their website if the text doesn't sit right somehow. They'll have a main appointments system which should bring up the full appoint letter which has a docs name and / or a department code on it so they should be able to help solve the mystery.

lifesaverormassmurderer · 16/09/2017 20:56

I had an appt just this week which was sent to me by text. Letter arrived the day after the appointment so good job they did text.

shhhfastasleep · 16/09/2017 20:59

I get these all the time to support the (sadly) many appointments I have.

obviouslymarvellous · 16/09/2017 21:00

Not a scam and def the wording I get for the zillions of appointments me and my girls attend each year x

CharlieSierra · 16/09/2017 21:15

Although it seems a crazy way of doing it to me as tons of people must just not turn up for an appointment they didn't even make!

This! It's happened to me twice in the past month and I've been guilted into wasting hours of my time trying to cancel, unable to get through and followed up with a shitty letter about missing appointments. Why on earth can't they just contact with details of how to ring or go online and make a convenient appointment, or at least answer the bloody contact phone number they give you.

ToadsforJustice · 16/09/2017 21:31

I feel that if the screening authorities really cared about the health of women all over the UK, a non-invasive test would be available.

Original poster
TiesThatBindMe · 16/09/2017 22:03

Thank you all. I'm sure it's not for a smear test and that that's just my anxiety talking. I know I'm due one too as I'm supposed to have them annually after having colposcopy. It's worth my while having a telephone appointment at least with the GP to see what my options are. I don't want to traumatise myself by forcing myself to go through one if they can make it easier for me. I will update on Monday when I find out what they want from me. Thanks for your kindness.

OP posts:
Acromantula · 17/09/2017 17:29

I hope it's just a mistake.

Redglitter · 17/09/2017 17:46

*Def scam.

Hospitals do not send out texts like this only to remind you of your appointment*

Ehm maybe RTFT before posting especially when you're completely wrong

sprot · 17/09/2017 17:51

My hospital reminders are worded that way

RidingMyBike · 17/09/2017 17:55

Same thing happened to me - appt letter never showed up! I rang the appointments team at the hospital
and they found me on the system. Without the txt I'd have been a no show statistic!

TurquoiseDress · 17/09/2017 17:56

I would give them a ring.

I've got an appointment coming up with an NHS hospital and have been texted reminders a few times. At the bottom of the text it says that missing the appointment will cost the NHS £160

Definitely have a genuine appointment as my GP referred me last month. Think it's maybe a way to give some responsibility over to patients and make them aware of the exact cost if they simply don't turn up!

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